Holidays: Prices

Richard Graham: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what research his Department has commissioned into reasons for price differentials charged by airlines and travel companies during (a) school holidays and (b) term times.

Jennifer Willott: The Government has commissioned no research into price differentials charged by airlines and travel companies during the school holidays and term times. The Government is aware that prices increase at times of peak demand where there is limited supply. In respect of holidays a consumers also wish to holiday during the peak periods. The holiday industry maintains that, in general, the sector relies on profits from the peak periods to enable it to trade throughout the year.